Islamic State's taunting speech calls for killing civilians

By Nabih Bulos

Sep 22, 2014 | 1:51 PM

|Beirut

Syrian refugees wait near the Turkish border Sept. 22 after fleeing Islamic State in their homeland. The militant group's often brutal campaign in Syria and Iraq have led many civilians to take flight. (Sedat Suna / European Pressphoto Agency)

The extremist group Islamic State will drive the United States to its "death, grave and destruction," a spokesman for the militants declared in a recording that also called on Muslims living in the West to kill civilians.

"You will pay the price when this crusade of yours collapses, and thereafter we will strike you in your homeland, and you will never be able to harm anyone afterward," Abu Muhammad Adnani said in a 42-minute speech that both taunted and threatened the U.S.-led coalition combating the Islamic State.

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"Mobilize your forces, roar with thunder, threaten whom you want, plot, arm your troops, prepare yourselves, strike, kill and destroy us," he said in the recording released Sunday. "This will not avail you."

The speech called on Muslims in the West to kill civilians in so-called lone wolf operations planned and executed by a single person.

"Do not ask for anyone's advice and do not seek anyone's verdict," Adnani said. "Kill the infidel, whether he is civilian or military."

Adnani also addressed the militant group's fighters, who control much of eastern Syria and seized large swaths of Iraq during the summer. Their campaign in Iraq, marked by brutality toward captives, spurred the United States to offer air support to Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

"When you defend, you are like the firmest mountains. And when you attack, you are like predatory warriors," said Adnani, exalting the fighters as "knights and men of war."

At least one Algerian militant group responded to Adnani's call.

Jund al-Khilafah issued a video that mentions Adnani's speech and purports to show a kidnapped Frenchman, according to the SITE Intelligence Group's website. The militants said they would execute the hostage if the French government did not cease airstrikes it has been carrying out in support of the U.S.-led effort in Iraq.